Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied reports alleging that he gifted a brand-new Toyota SUV to Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, the naval officer who recently clashed with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over a disputed plot of land in Abuja.
In a statement released on Thursday through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku described the report circulating across social media platforms as “entirely false and baseless,” urging Nigerians to disregard it.
“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), did not gift Lt. Ahmed Yerima—or any other individual—a Toyota SUV, contrary to the false reports currently circulating online. The story is completely fabricated and should be dismissed in its entirety,” the statement read.
The viral claim, which first appeared on Facebook on Wednesday, alleged that Atiku had rewarded the naval officer for standing up to Minister Wike during the confrontation at the Gaduwa District in Abuja.
The incident, captured in a widely shared video, showed Wike accusing the officer of illegally occupying the land on behalf of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd). Yerima, however, maintained that he was following lawful orders and was securing naval property.
The confrontation has since sparked nationwide debate, drawing comments from public figures, including former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), and other political leaders, who have called for restraint and adherence to proper institutional channels in resolving disputes involving security agencies.
